How do I fix cracked or mouldy sealant?
Recognising when sealant needs replacing rather than cleaning, and replacing it so it lasts.
beginner1 hr 30 min2 min read
Home & DIY
Practical answers for repairs, cleaning, decorating and the household problems that turn up whether you planned for them or not. Written so you can start with what you already own.
2,154 guides
How do I get a drill bit that is stuck in the chuck out?
Why a keyless chuck jams shut, the sequence that frees a bit without damaging the tool, and the two things not to try.
beginner15 min4 min readHow do I get artex or a textured coating tested for asbestos?
Why a test is the only way to know, the difference between a DIY sample kit and a surveyor, what a UKAS laboratory result actually tells you, and what each outcome means for the work you were planning.
beginner30 min5 min readHow do I get burnt-on grease off an oven door?
Getting between the glass panes, and the paste that works without caustic chemicals.
beginner1 hr2 min readHow do I get rid of a smelly drain?
Why a drain smells even when it is not blocked, and the three causes — biofilm, a dry trap and a blocked overflow.
beginner40 min2 min readHow do I get rid of fleas in the house?
Why the animal is only a fifth of the problem, the vacuum-and-repeat schedule the life cycle demands, and where treatment usually fails.
intermediate5 hr5 min readHow do I hang a heavy mirror safely?
Matching the fixing to the wall and the weight, using two points rather than one, and where not to hang one at all.
beginner45 min3 min readHow do I hang heavy things on a solid brick wall?
Drilling into brick rather than mortar, matching plug to load, and the hole preparation that doubles the holding power.
intermediate1 hr4 min readHow do I lay decking boards?
Setting the joists, the board gap that matters, the fixing pattern and the fall — the four decisions that decide whether a deck lasts.
intermediate10 hr4 min readHow do I mist coat new plaster?
Why new plaster rejects ordinary emulsion, the dilution that works, and how to tell when the plaster is dry enough to paint.
beginner1 hr 30 min4 min readHow do I move around a loft without putting a foot through the ceiling?
Everything in a loft rests on knowing exactly where the joists are, and insulation is specifically designed to hide them.
beginner20 min2 min readHow do I paint a fence or shed properly?
Preparation, weather and the coverage most people underestimate — how to make it last five years rather than two.
beginner5 hr2 min readHow do I paint over a stain that keeps coming through?
Why emulsion cannot cover certain stains, choosing the right blocker, and the check that comes before any of it.
beginner1 hr 30 min3 min readHow do I prevent pests without chemicals?
Remove the three things pests need and most never arrive — food, water and a way in.
beginner45 min2 min readHow do I remove a radiator to decorate behind it?
Closing both valves, catching the water that is definitely still in there, and getting it back on without losing system pressure.
intermediate1 hr 30 min4 min readHow do I remove old carpet and underlay?
Lifting carpet and underlay cleanly, dealing with gripper rods and staples, and getting the old material out of the house.
beginner3 hr3 min readHow do I remove old silicone sealant completely?
Cutting the bulk away, dissolving the residue, and why the invisible film is what makes new sealant fail.
beginner1 hr3 min readHow do I repair scratches and damage on a worktop?
What can actually be repaired on laminate, solid wood and composite worktops, and the fixes that make damage worse.
beginner1 hr3 min readHow do I replace a TRV head without draining the system?
The head unscrews from the valve body without touching the water, provided the fittings match — how to identify yours and what to buy.
beginner20 min4 min readHow do I replace a damaged floorboard?
Cutting out a damaged board over the right bearing, supporting the new one properly, and dealing with the tongue so the replacement drops in without wrecking its neighbours.
intermediate1 hr4 min readHow do I replace a section of guttering?
Matching the profile, cutting and joining plastic gutter, and setting the new section to the existing fall.
intermediate3 hr4 min readHow do I replace a toilet flush mechanism?
Identifying which mechanism you have, measuring before buying, and getting the seal right so it does not weep.
intermediate2 hr3 min readHow do I reseal a bath?
How to remove old silicone from around a bath or shower tray and apply a new bead that's watertight and looks neat.
intermediate2 hr3 min readHow do I set up a new appliance properly the first time?
The order that matters on installation day, the four things that cause almost every early failure, and the five minutes of admin that make the next ten years easier.
beginner1 hr7 min read
Going deeper: MaterialWorld
Material properties, comparisons and suitability — paints, fillers, sealants, timber, tile, insulation.
MaterialWorld is in development — GuideHQ covers the practical answers in the meantime.